Summary
- The Bentley Continental GT V8 offers impressive performance and luxury features at a slightly lower price than its W12-powered counterpart.
- The design of the car, including its large brake calipers and 21″ wheels, is visually stunning and eye-catching.
- The V8 engine provides almost as much power as the W12 engine, making the two models comparable in real-world performance.
When YouTube automotive content creator RacerX is back with a new review, it’s usually safe to say that a Mopar, Ford or General Motors badge will be on the grille. But the latest machine to feature on his channel is not a muscle car, at least not in the traditional sense.
The Bentley Continental GT V8 does have a big powerful engine, but the luxury car’s design and interior have more in common with a Rolls-Royce than a Dodge Challenger. Next to the W12-powered flagship you could also (almost) call it good value. Here’s what impresses RacerX the most when he gets the keys to one of the last great internal combustion-engined luxury cars.
The V8-Powered Bentley Continental Looks Impressive Even At A Standstill
RacerX is down at Stingray Chevrolet in Plant City, Florida, to check out a 2020 Continental GT with a handful of miles on it. The 2020 Bentley Continental retailed from around $200,000 and this one carries a similar price tag. Moving up to the flagship 6-liter, twin-turbo W12-powered coupe costs around $16,000 more, but the convertibles cost even more still.
As he notes, moving round the car, it has a stunning design, with some of the biggest brake calipers he has ever seen on a car, that sit nestled in 21” wheels.
This 5,000-lb coupe can reach 60 mph in under 4 seconds thanks to its 4-liter, twin-turbo V8 which offers 542 hp / 568 lb-ft, then onto a top speed of around 200 mph. It is all-wheel drive.
The YouTuber points out that the engine puts out almost as much power as the W12 car (84 hp less), and as the flagship is also heavier, the two are comparable in the real world.
How Much Is A Bentley Continental GT V8 In 2023?
Inside, RacerX reveals the awesome interior of the Continental, which is where most of the visual drama, luxury and features reside. A tan leather cabin exhibits all the opulence and design you would expect, complete with a 12.3” infotainment system.
On the road it moves quick: RacerX says it is almost instantaneous with nearly zero turbo lag thanks to the twin-turbo setup, and the noise is satisfying even from the hushed cabin.
With comparable performance to the W12 flagship, the V8 seems like the better buy, although it is not likely to get considered by those on a budget. Third-generation Bentley Continentals are worth an average of $200,000 at auction, a series that runs from 2018 to the present day.
Second generation cars from 2012-2018 are worth half that at about $100,000 average at auction, and the first-gen Continental can be had for just over $50,000. There are safer ways to spend sums of money like that on a luxury car, but owning and driving a piece of the elite lifestyle comes at a price.
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